Facebook launches new dating feature

Sahil Morar / November 8, 2018

Mark Zuckerburg at a Facebook press conference announcing several key features that will be rolling out.
(Anthony Quintano / Wikimedia Commons)

Facebook has launched a new dating feature which aims to create a more personalized experience, matching you with people who are not currently your Facebook friends. Facebook Dating was previously piloted in Colombia and has officially launched in Canada.

This launch is less than two months after a massive security and data breech which affected up to 50 million users leaving many questioning the security of this new feature. At a press conference announcing the new service, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg reiterated the importance of safety.

“I want to be clear that we have designed this with privacy and safety in mind from the beginning.” – Mark Zuckerburg, Facebook CEO

Facebook aims to tailor this app to creating and building more long term connections and relationships. Profiles created through the dating feature will be separate from regular Facebook profiles.

Facebook says it will reduce the amount of fake profiles by importing ages and locations from Facebook profiles allowing for more long-term relationships and will offer text-only conversations to minimize “casual encounters,” keeping the safety of its users as the top priority.

According to Digital Trends, Tinder, OKCupid, and Coffee Meets Bagel are the top 3 dating apps.
(Pixabay)

In a press release, Facebook announced that the app will match people who aren’t friends using dating preferences, likes, mutual friends and groups within their traditional profile.

Here’s what BCIT students think

Um, no I haven’t heard of it yet, but I probably wouldn’t use it.

Lindsay Wardle

No, I haven’t heard of it, and I probably wouldn’t use it either.

Armando Alfonzo

I haven’t heard of the dating app, I think I’d make a fake account just to troll people but I don’t think I’d actually use it for myself.